BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge says out-of-state voters can intervene in Alabama’s lawsuit trying to exclude people living in the country illegally from being counted in the 2020 U.S. Census.
U.S. District Judge David Proctor ruled Thursday that a group of Latino voters from California, Florida, Arizona, and Texas can join in the case, as can an advocacy group.
The voters and MALDEF, a California-based civil rights organization, contend the Trump administration cannot be trusted to adequately defend the lawsuit.
Alabama and U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks sued the Census Bureau in May. They say another state could gain a congressional seat at Alabama’s expense if the Census count includes large numbers of people in the country without permission.
The president of MALDEF, Thomas A. Saenz, says Alabama sued for illegitimate political reasons.